Friday, August 28, 2009

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEIt is nice when we do nice things. It is great forothers and for us when we do them out of a great love forGod and others. The sacred word today reminds us to doeverything from the heart. In our human language, the heartis the source of our love. When we keep the commandmentsor when we pray, we need to put our hearts into it. Alsogood and evil come from the heart. We need to put ourhearts in the heart of Jesus in order that good may emanatefrom our hearts.used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Gospel Passage:Mark 7:1 Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come fromJerusalem gathered around him, 2 they noticed that some of his disciples wereeating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. 3 (For the Pharisees, andall the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing thetradition of the elders; 4 and they do not eat anything from the market unless theywash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing ofcups, pots, and bronze kettles.) 5 So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Whydo your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 6 He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ 8 You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.” 14 Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” 21 For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, 22 adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Question for Discussion:1) Jesus says that having a clean heart is more important than clean hands. Jesus gives us a list of sins that make a person's heart and soul dirty. Howcan you clean your heart? What sacrament did Jesus give us to help you dothis?used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Saturday, August 22, 2009

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMETo follow Jesus demands a decision in our lives.Are we with Him or against Him? It is not a matter of ourcafeteria approach to His teachings. If we accept Him, thenwe accept all His teachings. Joshua says today: “decidetoday whom you will serve. ... As for me and my household,we will serve the Lord.” Peter responds to the Lord:“Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words ofeternal life.used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Friday, August 21, 2009

Gospel PassageJohn 6:60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” 61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. 65 And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” 66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have thewords of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the HolyOne of God.”

Questions for Discussion: 1. Many of the disciples didn’t accept Jesus’ teachings on the Eucharist and went away, but Jesus didn’t change the teaching on the Eucharist to satisfy them. They ended up abandoning God’s own Son. Have you known anyone who has abandoned Jesusbecause they don’t want to accept one of his teachings?

2. It probably was not easy for the twelve apostles to believe in Jesus’ teaching on the reality of eating His flesh and blood in the Eucharist, but Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Do you think Peter sets a good example for us to follow whenever we have questions about the faith? To whom canyou go to get answers that come from God?

3. In order to receive the Eucharist worthily, you have to make sure you have notcommitted any serious (mortal) sins since your last confession, and if you have, to go to confession BEFORE receiving Holy Communion. You first must go to Jesus in thesacrament of confession before you go to Jesus in the sacrament of the Eucharist. Doyou live by this teaching of the Church?used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Monday, August 17, 2009

Eternal rest grant unto Ryan, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

If we die with the Lord, we shall live with the Lord.If we endure with the Lord, we shall reign with the Lord.In Christ all our sorrow, in Christ all our joy.In Him hope of glory, in Him all our love.In Christ our redemption, in Christ all our grace.In Him our salvation, in Him all our peace.Lucien Deiss Copyright 1965 WLP

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Gospel PassageJohn 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eatsof this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of theworld is my flesh.” 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying,“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Verytruly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink hisblood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink myblood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for myflesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh anddrink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sentme, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because ofme. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that whichyour ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will liveforever.”

Questions for Discussion:

1) Jesus says that the “bread” which he will give for the life of the world is Hisflesh. Think about what happens when Jesus says through the priest at Mass the words, “This is my body given for you,” “This is the cup of my blood,... shed for you...."

2) Jesus says that if we eat His flesh, we will live forever. What does it mean to “live because of” Jesus whom we receive in Holy Communion?used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Gospel PassageLuke 1:38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. 39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” 46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Questions for Discussion:1. We celebrate today the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Maryinto heaven. What does this Feast mean? How did Our Lady's body and soul go up to Heaven?

2. What is Mary doing in Heaven right now? How does she help us?

3. What does Mary’s Assumption into Heaven mean for us?used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEJesus is the bread of life. When Jesus made thepromise of the Eucharist, there was no doubt in the minds ofHis listeners what He meant. He was going to give us Hisflesh to eat and His blood to drink. This was to be real foodand real drink. The Eucharist was to be the food for thejourney that would lead to a never-ending life of happiness.used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Saturday, August 8, 2009

This is a great dinner for busy weeknights. It's quick to prepare, very easy to make, and you can mix and match ingredients to what you have available. Whatever you use, you would just want to make sure to drain everything well so it's not too moist.

Directions:Preheat over to 400 degrees. Saute ground turkey until cooked thouroughly, drain all liquid, and then set aside to drain even more. Then saute the vegetables until tender and add the turkey back into the pan. Add sauce and spices and cook together until heated through and mixed well. Add into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish and place the pepperoni slices on top and sprinkle a layer of mozzarella over the pepperoni.Next, make the crust. Beat eggs in a large bowl until frothy. Add the milk and oil and beat together. Slowly add the flour until everything is combined well.Smooth the crust mixture over the pizza filling and sprinkle the grated cheese on top. Bake uncovered about 20 - 25 minutes until done and let rest for about 15 minutes before serving.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Gospel PassageJohn 6:41 Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “Iam the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They were saying, “Is notthis Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can henow say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Donot complain among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless drawnby the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day.45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46 Notthat anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seenthe Father. 47 Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 Iam the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, andthey died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that onemay eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down fromheaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I willgive for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Questions for Discussion:

1. The people complained because Jesus told them the truth and they didn’tlike it. Have you ever met someone who complains against God because theydon’t like living as God wants?

2. Think about the relationship between Joseph and Jesus and talk about how Jesus can say 'I have come down from Heaven'.

3. Jesus says if we eat him we will live forever? Does this mean that no matterwhat we do after receiving holy Communion, we’re automatically going to getto heaven, or does it mean that if we go to Holy Communion we should become more and more like Jesus and learn to love others more — and that will help us get to Heaven?used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEThe Eucharist is the special gift of Jesus that givesus eternal life. It is the bread that nourishes us on ourjourney here in this life. When we are discouraged, as Elijahwas, it strengthens us that we may continue. Jesus is thebread of life, the food that brings eternal life and theforetaste of the heavenly kingdom. What a gift thatpromises eternal life! What a gift that feeds us on our dailyjourney! Savor this special food!used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Sunday, August 2, 2009

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEGod gave the Israelites manna in the desert and tookcare of them each day. This gift from God would be aforeshadowing of the special gift that Jesus would give us inthe Eucharist. Jesus, the Son of God, promised that Hewould give the bread that would give life to the world. Jesusforetold that He would be the “bread of life; whoever comesto me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me willnever thirst.”The Israelites asked the question about the manna.Moses responded that it was the bread that the Lord hadgiven them to eat. If we asked that same question, Jesuswould tell us that this is the bread that He has given us toeat. We ask that the Lord to help us realize what atremendous gift that Jesus has given us in the Eucharist.used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Gospel PassageJohn 6:24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, theythemselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom hehas sent.” 30 So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never behungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Questions for discussion:1) Jesus said to the crowd that they were following him not because theybelieved in Him as God but because they thought they could get a free mealfrom him. Sometimes people follow Jesus not because he’s God, but becausethey want a miracle, they want him to do favors for them. Has there ever been a time that you've treated Jesus this way?

2) Jesus tell us not to work for the food that perishes, but for the food thatendures for eternal life. What is this food?

3) Jesus said, “I am the bread of life?” What does this mean?used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Resources for the Catholic Family

Prayer to the Holy Family

Lord Jesus Christ, who, being made subjectto Mary and Joseph, did consecrate domestic life byYour unspeakable virtues; grant that we, with the assistance of both, may be taught by the example of your Holy Family, and may attain to its everlasing fellowship. Who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.